License to Work: A National Study of Burdens from Occupational Licensing

Bill Collector Agency

Highlights

Definition

Bill collection agencies, also known as account representatives or debt collectors, locate and notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, telephone or personal visit to solicit payment. Their duties include receiving payment and posting amount to a customer's account; preparing statements to a credit department if a customer fails to respond; initiating repossession proceedings or service disconnection; and keeping records of collection and status of accounts.

Summary

Charging an average fee of $471, 30 states require a license to operate a bill collection agency -- the 43rd most widely and onerously licensed occupation of the 102 studied. Nebraska is the only state that requires bill collectors to have any experience, requiring two years, and Michigan is the only state with an exam. Fees range from $10 in Iowa to $1,524 in Arizona. States also require such things as a moral character certificate of good standing, a personal history statement and financial statements.